Tigers rough up Royals 16-4 in series opener

During the first of four games that could breathe life into the Royals’ playoff hopes entering the break or bury Ned Yost’s bunch in the standings, the Tigers outclassed their closest competition, spanking the Royals 16-4 before a crowd of 21,775 at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) couldn't make the stop on a throw from third baseman Danny Valencia as Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) reached on a single in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals left fielder Raul Ibanez (18) couldn't make the sliding catch on a two run double by Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

On the bright side, the Royals get three more cracks at the division-leading Tigers before the All-Star break, three more chances to chip away at a 5 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central.

Of course, if the series continues like it started Thursday, next week’s four-day break can’t get here soon enough for the Royals.

During the first of four games that could breathe life into the Royals’ playoff hopes entering the break or bury Ned Yost’s bunch in the standings, the Tigers outclassed their closest competition, spanking the Royals 16-4 before a crowd of 21,775 at Kauffman Stadium.

“We got it handed to us tonight,” designated hitter Billy Butler said. “That happens in baseball, but you just move on.”

The Royals, 47-44, returned to Kansas City around 3 a.m. from a nine-game road trip that ended above .500 thanks to Salvy Perez’s game-winning, three-run, ninth-inning blast Wednesday against the Rays.

But momentum in baseball is only as good as the next day’s starter — and Jeremy Guthrie struggled.

“We didn’t pitch good tonight,” Yost said. “That’s the bottom line, and that’s why they scored a bunch of runs. ... (Guthrie) was just struggling with command. It just wasn’t his night.”

For the second consecutive start, Guthrie lasted only four-plus innings. He was shelled for six runs on 11 hits in four-plus innings during a 7-3 loss Saturday in Cleveland.

Guthrie wasn’t any better against the Tigers, who lit him up for eight runs — all earned — on eight hits with three walks and two hit batters.

“I overthrew a lot of pitches and couldn’t get any big outs,” Guthrie said.

When Torii Hunter led off the fifth by mashing a 428-foot moonshot to left field for a 7-2 lead and Nick Castellanos followed with a single, Yost had seen enough.

But there was no relief forthcoming for the Royals, who hadn’t allowed more than 12 runs or 16 hits this season before the Tigers totaled 16 runs on 19 hits, including three from Hunter and two apiece from Castellanos, Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Eugenio Suarez and Don Kelly.

If anything, the Tigers’ assault ramped up against veteran lefty Scott Downs, who has appeared in four games in five days since being plucked from the free-agent scrap heap, and Louis Coleman, who was recalled before the game from Class AAA Omaha when Jason Vargas went on the disabled list.

Alex Avila and Suarez greeted Downs with ringing doubles.

With two away and Coleman in the game, five straight Tigers batters reached safely, including RBI singles by Kinsler, Martinez and Hunter.

Castellanos polished off an eight-run frame with an RBI double that had the Royals buried 14-2.

“The good thing is it only counts as one, so hopefully they got all their runs out of the way and hits out of the way today,” said first baseman Eric Hosmer, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a first-inning single and added a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

It didn’t take long Thursday for the Royals to run into trouble.

Guthrie coughed up three first-inning runs and got tagged for three more in the fourth, capped by Cabrera’s two-run double off the wall in left.

Despite the shellacking, the Royals had a few reasons to cheer.

Leading off the bottom of the fourth, Butler blasted a majestic 406-foot home run — his third of the season — into the left-field fountains.

“I felt good to run into one,” Butler said. “It sucks it came in a game like this, but I put a good swing on a ball and hopefully I can build on it.”

Hosmer 414-foot laser to right-center in the seventh inning, his sixth home run of the season and second in as many games, also provided reason to roar.

It marked the first time Hosmer homeered in consecutive games since Aug. 16, 2013, when he went deep in both games of a doubleheader at Detroit and the first time Hosmer and Butler homered in the same game since June 28, 2013.

Kansas City Royals left fielder Raul Ibanez (18) couldn't make the sliding catch on a two run double by Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost relieves starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) in the fifth inning as catcher Salvador Perez (13) looks on during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) answers questions about his injury that will sideline him for the upcoming All Star Game at a press conference before Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) throws during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) throws in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) throws in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (24) follows through on an RBI grounder for an out in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) in the first inning to score Austin Jackson during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Austin Jackson (14) is congratulated by Torii Hunter (48) after scoring on a grounder for an out on Miguel Cabrera in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Ian Kinsler (3) is greeted at the dugout after scoring on a single by Torii Hunter in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) connects on a sacrifice fly to score J.D. Martinez in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) connects on a sacrifice fly to score J.D. Martinez in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez (28) greets Nick Castellanos (9) after Castellanos hit a sacrifice fly to score Martinez in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) throws in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly (33) throws during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly (33) throws in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson (14) ruins down an out on Kansas City Royals' Lorenzo Cain in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Eric Hosmer (35) follows through on a single in the first inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Raul Ibanez (18) heads to first on a grounder for an out in the second inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Alcides Escobar (2) connects on a single in the second inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Alcides Escobar (2) steels second before the tag from Detroit Tigers shortstop Eugenio Suarez (30) in the second inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Jarrod Dyson (1) connects on an RBI single to score Alcides Escobar in the second inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Alcides Escobar (2) heads for home on an RBI single by Jarrod Dyson in the second inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) talks to Kansas City Royals' Lorenzo Cain (6) after flying out to end the second inning as Cabrera walks off the field during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez (28) rubs his shoulder in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) after being hit by a pitch from starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the third inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals second baseman Omar Infante (14) forces out Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez (28) at second and completes the double play on Torii Hunter at first in the third during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Eugenio Suarez (30) walks to first after being hit by a pitch from Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Ian Kinsler (3) watches his sacrifice fly that scored Eugenio Suarez in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (24) backs off an inside pitch from Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (24) backs off an inside pitch from Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (24) follows through on a two run double in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Don Kelly (32) scores in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) on a two run double by Miguel Cabrera in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Austin Jackson (14) heads home on a two run double by Miguel Cabrera in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) is congratulated by Raul Ibanez (18) after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) is congratulated by Raul Ibanez (18) after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) waits for Detroit Tigers' Torii Hunter (48) to round the bases on a fifth inning home run during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Torii Hunter (48) looks down at Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) as he crosses home on a home run in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) couldn't make the throw in time to first as Kansas City Royals' Christian Colon (24) reached on a single in the sixth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) couldn't make the stop on a throw from third baseman Danny Valencia as Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) reached on a single in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Downs (37) throws in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) scores in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) on a double by Eugenio Suarez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Alex Avila (13) scores in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) on a double by Eugenio Suarez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos (9) and Alex Avila (13) greet each other after both scored on a double by Eugenio Suarez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Downs (37) throws in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Louis Coleman (31) throws in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals left fielder Raul Ibanez (18) couldn't make the sliding catch on a two run double by Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (24) scores in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) on a double by J.D. Martinez in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' Torii Hunter (48) breaks his bat on an RBI double in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez (28) scores as the throw to Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) goes past him to the backstop on a double by Torii Hunter in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Louis Coleman (31) receives a visit from pitching coach Dave Eiland and catcher Salvador Perez (13) in the fifth inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) couldn't reach a high throw to first as Kansas City Royals' Christian Colon (24) reached on a single in the sixth inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Francisley Bueno (67) throws in the seventh inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly (33) waits for Kansas City Royals' Eric Hosmer (35) to round the bases on a two run home run in the seventh inning during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals' Eric Hosmer (35) is greeted by Jarrod Dyson (1) after Hosmer hit a two run home run in the seventh inning during Thursday's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Phil Coke (40) celebrates closing out the ninth inning with catcher Alex Avila (13) for a 16-4 win over the Kansas City Royals during Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Royals senior scout Art Stewart tells a story as he sits with team general manager Dayton Moore at a press conference highlighting his recent book "The Art of Scouting," before Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Star columnist Sam Mellinger co-wrote the book with Stewart.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

During a press conference with the three All Star Game representatives from the Kansas City Royals (from left) Greg Holland, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez, Perez recounts his game winning home run from the following night, before Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

The All Star Game representatives from the Kansas City Royals (from left) Greg Holland, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez, pose for a picture with their uniforms displaying the All Star Game patch at a press conference before Thursday's baseball game on July 10, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star